Wildlife sightings for 26th November 2017
1 Bittern - main lake SE corner a.m., then flew across the lake to the N shore
12 Snipe - flew up from marsh p.m.
34 Fieldfare - sheltered lagoon, some flew W towards wildside
1 Water Pipit - main lake island near WWF hide, flew on to the marsh
2 Brambling - dropped in to wildside
1 Goldeneye - reservoir lagoon
1 Siskin - entrance lake feeders
2 Skylark - marsh (feeding on the N bund of the marsh)
1 Blackcap (female) - entrance lake feeders
November bird highlights: Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Snipe, Little Egret, Red Kite, Peregrine, Buzzard, Kestrel, Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher, Ring Ouzel, Stonechat, Linnet, Firecrest, Brambling, Skylark, Water Pipit, Bullfinch.
Migrants are still dropping in or passing through during November – any species is possible but look out for Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare in numbers. The fences around the marsh are a good spot for some of these passerines (like Stonechat), while the muddier parts of the marsh, main lake and wader scrape may have some waders (like Dunlin or Snipe). Tree blocks with a good mix of Willows may hold some interesting Warbler species or Firecrest, often mixed in with more common Tits and Goldcrests. Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler continue to arrive for the winter ahead. The first Redpolls and Siskins arrived early in October, followed by the first Redwings. The Fieldfares and Redwings are feeding on the Hawthorn, Dog Rose, Blackthorn and Guelder Rose across the site.
